Reborn, She's Back for Revenge novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The first light of dawn had yet to creep over the horizon, leaving the sky velvety black. A crisp morning chill hung in the air as Edith dragged Zachary by the collar into the car, ignoring his protests.

She had woken up with a plan–drop him off at school first, then head to Sunspire High herself.

Slouched in the passenger seat with his arms crossed, Zachary radiated irritation. Meanwhile, Edith flipped open her Engloria vocabulary book, laser–focused.

Her memory was razor–sharp, and she made the most of every spare second–drilling words while washing her face, brushing her teeth, even sneaking glances between bites of breakfast.

By the end of the day, she aimed to have a hundred new terms locked in. In just a few days, she had already memorized every key freshman–level word.

Thanks to the System’s boost, once a word stuck, it stayed for good. With her expanded vocabulary, Engloria exercises–fill–in–the- blanks, reading comprehension–werè a breeze.

As the car pulled away, the atmosphere at Lovett Manor was anything but calm.

Hallie flopped onto the sofa with an exaggerated sigh. “God, who died and made her queen? Now she’s forcing her brothers to study like they’re her personal pet projects?”

Karen leaned back, her gaze heavy. The Lovett brothers were a mixed bag. Only Cedric, the eldest, had any discipline. The other three? She’d made sure they were spoiled rotten.

Habits, once set, were hard to break. Karen doubted Zachary or Joseph would fall in line. But Edith–that cunning girl–was the real threat.

“Hallie,” Karen said coolly, “how’s Edith performing at school?”

Hallie snorted. “Please. She’s still doing remedial freshman drills. SATs are in three months, and she’s stuck on vocab lists? She’ll be lucky to land a safety school.”

Dallas, the butler, appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Lovett, Mrs. Stella Larson is here.”

Before Karen could answer, Hallie’s eyes went wide. “Don’t just stand there–let her in!”

Dallas ushered Stella inside. At forty–five, Stella Larson was the picture of effortless elegance–flawless skin, poised demeanor, looking a decade younger. She carried herself with a grace Karen had never quite mastered, no matter how many etiquette coaches she hired.

When Karen first married Vincent, he had emphasized the Larsons‘ long–standing ties to them. She’d tried to win Stella over, but Stella had never warmed to her–so eventually, Karen gave up.

Since Karen’s wedding to Vincent, this was Stella’s first visit in six years.

Karen gestured toward the sitting room. “Coffee?”

“Mrs. Larson!” Hallie gushed, flashing her sweetest smile. “You look amazing–what’s your secret? Pilates? Crystals?”

She’d spent years angling for Larry Larson’s attention, to no avail. Now, with his mother here? This was her chance.

“I was in the faculty lounge yesterday,” Hallie prattled on, “and everyone was raving about Larry topping the latest exams–again. He’s just incredible.”

Stella’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be in the first period? Study hall starts in twenty.”

Hallie’s grin cracked. If Stella hadn’t shown up, she’d already be on the way to school.

“With the SATs coming,” Stella added gently, “every minute matters. Run along.”

Hallie swallowed her scowl, grabbed her backpack, and slunk toward the door.

From the sofa, Karen watched, her nails digging into the upholstery. She’d assumed Stella’s visit was a belated peace offering to the

Lovetts. Instead, the woman had just lectured her daughter in her own living room.

The message was clear: Stella still saw her as the gold–digging stepmother, just like six years ago. ‘Fine, Karen thought. ‘No more fake smiles.

Her voice turned arctic. “You’re a busy woman, Mrs. Larson. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

Stella took a deliberate sip of coffee. “I was at Willow Reservoir last evening and saw someone who looked remarkably like Edith. She’s back in Sunspire, then?”

Karen’s grip tightened around her cup. ‘So that’s why Stella is here–for that wretched girl. Edith had somehow weaseled her way into the Larsons‘ orbit within days of arriving.

Noting Karen’s tension, Stella continued smoothly, “I watched that girl grow up. If life had been fair, she’d already own this town by twenty–one.”

‘Is this a performance?‘ Karen’s smile turned brittle. ‘Playing the grieving friend of the late Melinda, here to shame me?‘

Karen’s blood boiled. ‘The little schemer has staged a “chance” meeting with Stella and ensnared Larry–all under my roof. Does she think I am blind?‘

The Larsons‘ interest changed everything. If Karen acted too boldly against Edith now, she’d alienate Sunspire’s elite.

“Edith’s still settling in,” Karen lied, voice sugared. “Vincent and I are planning a welcome–back gala. Invitations go out once we lock the

venue.”

“How… thoughtful.” Stella rose, her linen dress whispering against the sofa. “I won’t keep you.” She glided out before Dallas could reach the door.

Stella was here only for Edith. The door hadn’t fully closed before Karen’s coffee cup shattered against the marble floor. Shards skittered like broken diamonds.

‘Larry’s already wrapped around Edith’s finger, and Stella approves it. Her chest burned. ‘If that girl marries a Larson, Hallie will spend the rest of her life in her shadow.

華華

After dropping Zachary off at the curb, Edith told the driver to head toward Sunspire High. The morning drop–off lane was its usual circus–parents, students, teachers, all spilling out of SUVs and hybrids in a choreographed chaos,

She stepped onto the sidewalk and barely had time to close the door before the voice in her head chimed in.

System: [New mission: A true heiress needs devoters.

Praise your latest suitor until he’s hopelessly hooked.]

Edith rolled her eyes. Another “heartbreaker” mission from the system. She scanned the crowd–and spotted Kelvin in a crisp white shirt striding straight for her.

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